Prunus tree named ‘Final 121’

ABSTRACT

‘Final 121’ is a new cultivar of Prunus avium having a medium-strong tree habit, self-fertile flowers, S-alleles S3S4, heart-shaped fruit with a black-red color, a fruit ripening time that is later its male parent ‘Sweetheart’, and fruit that is bigger in size than ‘Sweetheart’.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the novel plant variety disclosed herein is Prunus avium L.

Variety denomination: The inventive Prunus avium tree disclosed herein has been given the varietal denomination ‘Final 121’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Prunus avium cultivar hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Final 121’. This new Prunus cultivar was developed through a breeding program in Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany with the goal of producing good quality fruit with a late ripening time. ‘Final 121’ was selected from a population of seedlings grown from a controlled cross of Prunus avium ‘Spate von Wedler’ (unpatented, female parent) x Prunus avium ‘Sweetheart’ (unpatented, male parent). The first asexual propagation of ‘Final 121’ was carried out in 2006 by hardwood cuttings in Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by hardwood cuttings since then. ‘Final 121’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the unique combination of characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under standard horticultural practices in Germany.

-   -   ‘Final 121’ has less cracking of the fruit than ‘Sweetheart’.     -   ‘Final 121’ has a fruit ripening time that is one week later         than ‘Sweetheart’.     -   ‘Final 121’ has S-alleles S3S4 and self-fertile flowers.     -   ‘Final 121’ has heart-shaped fruit with a black-red color.     -   ‘Final 121’ has fruit which are bigger in size than         ‘Sweetheart’.     -   ‘Final 121’ has a medium strong tree habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new Prunus cultivar is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's fruit and foliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Prunus cultivar.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing the fruit on a seven-year-old tree of ‘Final 121’.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing the foliage (upper surface) from a seven-year-old tree of ‘Final 121’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the botanical characteristics of the new and distinct Prunus cultivar known by the denomination ‘Final 121’. The detailed description was taken on a seven-year-old tree in Germany. All colors cited herein refer to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, 2005 Edition). Where specific dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical name: Prunus avium ‘Final 121’. -   Parentage: Seedling grown from a controlled cross of Prunus avium     ‘Spate von Wedler’ (unpatented, female parent) x Prunus avium     ‘Sweetheart’ (unpatented, male parent). -   Plant description:     -   -   Size.—Height about 3 m, width about 2 m (10 cm above             ground).         -   Vigor.—Medium.         -   Density.—Medium.         -   Form.—Upright spread with medium level of lateral branching.         -   Growth type.—Spreading.         -   Bearing.—Annual on spurs and 3 and 4 bud positions located             at the base of one year old shoots. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth with prominent lenticels.         -   Bark color.—Moderate olive brown 199A.         -   Lenticels.—Length: 1-2 cm. Width: 0.5 cm. Color: grayed             orange 167A. Density: medium. -   Branches:     -   -   Diameter.—0.4-1.5 cm.         -   Surface texture.—Average, typical for Sweet Cherry.         -   Color.—Brownish orange 164 A.         -   Form.—Typical for Sweet Cherry.         -   Average angle.—60-75 degree.         -   Bud arrangement.—Typical for Sweet Cherry.         -   Lenticels.—Length: about 1 mm. Width: about 1 mm. Shape:             roundish. Density: few, scattered. Color: grayed yellow             161B. -   Leaves:     -   -   Length.—16-18 cm.         -   Width.—8-9 cm.         -   Form.—Round, pointed.         -   Texture.—Leathery, crisp feeling.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Base.—Pointed.         -   Apex.—Pointed.         -   Margin.—Serrations irregular.         -   Color.—Mature leaves: Upper surface: moderate olive green             137A. Lower surface: very pale green 130D.         -   Petiole.—Shape: narrow. Length: 4-5 cm. Diameter: about             2 mm. Color: light yellowish green 154D.         -   Veins.—Venation type: pinnate. Color: Upper surface: light             yellowish green 154D. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Pedicel.—Length: 12 mm. Diameter: 0.4 mm. Color: reddish.         -   Bud.—Length: about 1 cm. Width: under 1 cm. Color: reddish. -   Flowers:     -   -   Bloom timing.—27.04. Kressbronn, Germany.         -   Blooming period.—Late season with ‘Kordia’ (unpatented).         -   Pollination requirements.—Self-fertile.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—3 to 7.         -   Petals.—Number: 5. Length: 18 mm. Width: 15 mm. Shape:             round. Apex: slightly obcordate. Margin: slightly undulated.             Texture and appearance: soft texture.         -   Color.—Fully opened: Upper surface: White 155D. Lower             surface: White 155D.         -   Sepals.—Shape: conical. Margin: regular. Texture: smooth.             Length: 5-7 mm. Width: about 5 mm. Color: Upper surface:             Green 143C. Lower surface: Green 143C.         -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): 4-5. Filament length: 11 mm.         -   Anthers.—Shape: kidney. Length: 0.6 mm. Color: yellow 13B.         -   Pollen.—Color: yellow 13B. Amount (generally): plentiful.         -   Pistils.—Length: 12 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 4-6 mm. Color: green 143C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: oval. Color: green 144A. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—04.08.16 (17 days after Regina in             south Germany).         -   Size.—Diameter: 3 cm. Length: 3 cm.         -   Skin.—Thickness: medium. Texture: medium. Tendency to crack:             not prone to cracking from rain. Color: dark red 53A.         -   Flesh.—Aroma: pleasant. Color: dark red 53A. Texture: very             firm. Eating quality: good.         -   Seeds.—Number per fruit: 1. Length: 1.3 cm. Breadth:             0.7-0.9 cm. Form: round. Color: light brown 160B.         -   Stem.—Length: 4.5 cm. Width: 0.1 cm. Color: light green             145A.

COMPARISON OF ‘FINAL 121’ WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS AND PARENTAL PLANTS

‘Final 121’ is similar to its male parent, ‘Sweetheart,’ in that both have S-alleles S3S4, are self-fertile and have a medium strong tree habit. ‘Final 121’ is distinct from ‘Sweetheart’ by its longer stem, larger fruit size, and a fruit ripening time that is one week later. In addition, the fruit color of ‘Final 121’ is black-red compared to the more brown black color of the fruit of ‘Sweetheart’.

‘Final 121’ is distinct from the Prunus cultivar ‘Tieton’ (U.S. Pat. No. 11,385), by its S-alleles, which are S3S9 compared to S-alleles S3S4 in. ‘Final 121’ is 15 days later in fruit ripening than ‘Regina’ (not patented). The fruit shape of ‘Final 121’ is heart-shaped compared to ‘Regina’, which has a more round-shaped fruit. ‘Final 121’ has firmer fruits than ‘Regina’. Flowering in ‘Final 121’ is late compared to ‘Regina’, which is very late. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus tree named ‘Final 121’ substantially as illustrated and described herein. 